Evansville, IN – A 38-year-old Evansville man is behind bars after allegedly striking another driver while under the influence and attempting to flee the scene with the victim clinging to his car.
The incident unfolded on Sunday afternoon at the intersection of N. Kentucky Avenue and E. Diamond Avenue, leaving witnesses shocked and authorities responding quickly.
Felony Hit-and-Run Incident
According to the Vanderburgh County Police Department, Patrick Lee Ryan allegedly rear-ended another vehicle around 3:30 p.m. When the other driver exited to inspect the damage, they immediately sensed something was wrong with Ryan’s behavior.
As the victim went to retrieve their phone to document the crash, Ryan reportedly returned to his car. Police stated that the victim observed Ryan struggling to get back into the vehicle. Moments later, Ryan allegedly started his car and tried to drive away, making contact with the other driver in the process.
Victim Clings to Hood in Desperate Attempt to Stop Driver
The situation escalated when Ryan attempted to flee the scene, prompting the victim to run to his driver-side window to stop him. During this attempt, the victim reportedly ended up on the hood of Ryan’s vehicle as it moved away. After a short distance, Ryan allegedly stopped, allowing the victim to safely dismount. Remarkably, the victim did not sustain any injuries during either collision.
Witnesses who observed the incident reported seeing a driver swerving across lanes both before and after the hit-and-run, which ultimately led police to locate and stop Ryan.
Signs of Intoxication and Arrest
Upon being stopped, officers detected a strong odor of alcohol and questioned Ryan, who admitted, “I had two beers.” He was taken to a hospital parking lot for a field sobriety evaluation but refused to answer questions, stating, “I am not going to pass this.” After being medically cleared, Ryan was booked into the Vanderburgh County Jail without bond.
Charges Filed
As per Law&Crime, Ryan faces multiple serious charges, including:
- Criminal recklessness with a deadly weapon
- Battery with a deadly weapon
- Leaving the scene of a crash
- Operating a vehicle while intoxicated (OVI)
Law enforcement officials emphasized that Ryan’s alleged actions could have resulted in serious injuries or fatalities, and praised witnesses for alerting authorities.
Police and Community Response
The Vanderburgh County Police Department reminded the public that reckless and intoxicated driving remains a major threat to community safety. They encouraged drivers to report suspicious activity on the roads immediately.
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